4 Vikings Who Could Be Breakout Stars in 2025
The Minnesota Vikings officially kicked off training camp this week, and that means the battle for 53 roster spots is officially on.
It also means emerging stars are getting tuned up to hopefully turn in their best NFL seasons yet. Here is a look at four Vikings players who could emerge as breakout stars in 2025.
OLB Dallas Turner
Dallas Turner obviously didn’t get a ton of time on the field last season despite being a first-round pick, but the question is this: was that lack of playing time by necessity or by choice? Was Dallas Turner simply not ready to play at the NFL level, or was he given the opportunity to sit and learn behind two Pro Bowlers?
I, for one, am going to choose to believe the latter until proven otherwise. Turner is an athletic freak off the edge and proved during his time at Alabama that he could contribute both as a pass rusher and in run defense.
Obviously, both Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel are still around, but this isn’t the first time during the Brian Flores era that the Vikings went into a training camp with a seemingly crowded OLB room at the top.
Remember 2023 when Minnesota had Danielle Hunter, Zadarius Smith, and Marcus Davenport? There were plenty of times during camp when Flores utilized all three of them on the field at the same time. This time around, hopefully the trio stays healthy so we can see that plan in action during the regular season.
CB Mekhi Blackmon
It’s easy to forget just how solid of a player Mekhi Blackmon was during his rookie season now that we are 1.5 years removed from him appearing in an NFL game.
Blackmon was named to PFF’s All-Rookie Team, ranking third among rookie cornerbacks in both overall and coverage PFF grades. He’s also a very sure tackler, an underrated trait at the cornerback spot.
Of course, Blackmon’s torn ACL during the first day of training camp in 2024 cost him the entire season, but now, there is a starting spot on the line in camp. Blackmon could very well come back with a vengeance and snatch that CB2 role.
S Theo Jackson
The blueprint is right in front of Theo Jackson to find success in 2025. Harrison Smith is 36 years old and could be in the final season of his career. Josh Metellus is in the final year of his contract. Camryn Bynum has already left the team, finding a new home with the Indianapolis Colts this spring.
Jackson has a red carpeted path towards becoming a cornerstone in Minnesota’s defense at the safety position.
So far, the 26-year-old has answered every call. He intercepted a pass in Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2023 season after Smith left the game with a concussion. He played double-digit defensive snaps in three consecutive games in 2024, defending two passes and recording an interception against the Seattle Seahawks in a key road victory.
There is little competition for Jackson to deal with in terms of a starting spot, so all he needs to do is show out in camp and make sure the Vikings don’t go searching for outside talent.
WR Jordan Addison
Of course, Jordan Addison’s first two seasons of combining for 133 receptions, 1786 yards, and 19 touchdowns weren’t too shabby to begin with, but what if the young star could get even better?
After all, outside of eight games to begin his rookie season, Addison has played most of his career catching passes from names like Josh Dobbs, Nick Mullens, and Sam Darnold. What could his numbers look like now that J.J. McCarthy is his QB?
Time will tell, and obviously, Addison likely is facing a suspension this season, but once that is in the rearview mirror and the full focus is back on football, the young star could turn in a fantastic campaign in 2025.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Focus and Pro Football Reference.
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